B+W Wednesday: Lazy Sunday Afternoon

Recipe for a great photo

1. Take one sleepy girl
2. Add one Panda Pillow Pet
3. Place on soft bed near sun-filled window
4. Wait for 30 minutes.
5. Shoot.

Pop on over to Lisa's blog for other B+W photos.

Four Years Ago Today...

...the dream of 46 years became a reality. In a hotel conference room in Nanchang, China, a 13-month-old baby named Ling Wan Qing was placed in my arms and I became a mother at last.

Happy 4th Anniversary, my sweet Isabel.

B+W Wednesday: Some Down Time

My little one has been under the weather.

We've been home for the last four days relaxing, resting,

building towers and cities with blocks, coloring

and just enjoying time together.

No concerts. No church. No library. No playdates.

Just the two of us.

And that is more than enough.

{Head on over to Lisa's blog for other B+W photos.}

A Kid's Perspective of Mom

Received this from a friend this morning. Reminds me of this.

It was fun and interesting to catch a glimpse inside her thinking.

{Numbers 15, 16, and 18 really touched my heart.}

1. What is something Mom always says to you?
I love you.

2. What makes Mom happy?
Kisses

3. What makes Mom sad?
Hitting

4. How does your Mom make you laugh?
Funny jokes

5. What was your Mom like as a child?
Fun

6. How old is your Mom?
14 (LOVE this child!!!)

7. How tall is your Mom?
40 feet long (And I thought 5'10" was bad)

8. What is Mom's favorite thing to do?
Cook

9. What does your Mom do when you're not around?
Work

10. If your Mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
Surprises

11. What is your Mom really good at?
Cooking

12. What is your Mom not very good at?
Burning

13. What does your Mom do for her job?
Get money

14. What is your mom's favorite food?
Chocolate

15. What makes you proud of your Mom?
Loving

16. If your Mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
My mommy

17. What do you and your Mom do together?
Work

18. How are you and your Mom the same?
Cause we are family

19. How are you and your Mom different?
Because you are a grown up and I am a child

20. How do you know your Mom loves you?
Because you're my mommy

21. Where is your Mom's favorite place to go?
Narnia movie

B+W Wednesday: Amiga Mia

Five days a week, from 7:30 in the morning until mid afternoon, I teach high school Spanish. While I just love my students, it makes all the difference in the world having a good friend down the hall.

Norma and I have been friends and colleagues for almost 15 years. Our children are like brother and sister and adore each other. We laugh together, send emails throughout the day, and find comfort in being able to vent to each other.

Though we are a decade apart in age, she is like a sassy, stylish Boriquen little sister to me. I am so thankful for her friendship, for her laughter

(and for her black beans. Yum!)

Check out other B+W photos over at Lisa's blog:

I Heart Faces Photo Contest: SMILE

The site iheartfaces is a photography site which hosts weekly contests.

The theme this week is SMILE. This is my first time entering.

I just LOVE this picture!

It was the night before Isabel's 5th birthday party and I was baking the cake. As per our ritual, she gets to lick the bowl. I looked around and saw this... hair in the eyes, batter all over the handle, tongue sticking out, chocolate all over her face...and PURE happiness in her eyes.

SMILE

Hers creates mine.